Stocking stretcher



Aug. 6, 1929.

E. w. RICHARDS sTocKING STRETCHER Filed Nov. 23, 1927 Inventor Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATES ELLA W. RICHARDS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO CHARLES S. RICHARDS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

STOCKING STRETCHER,

Application led November 23, 1927.

This invention relatesI to new and usetul impro vement-s in stretchers .tor stockings, and has tor its primary object to provide a highly novel, simple, and inexpensive device that is well adapted ifor disposition within stockings of various sizes, after the saine have been washed, so as to prevent shrinlti ng; oit the same while drying,

One of the most important objects ot the invention to provide a stretcher ot this character wherein the toot portion thereof may be adjusted at will to accommodate stocliings ot various 'toot sizes.

Other objects and practical advantages ot the invention will be fully understood from the following description and claims when the saine are considered in connection with the drawings, accompanying and Forming;l 'part oit this specification, in which:

Figure l is an elevation ot a stocking); stretcher constructed in accordance with the present invention, and.

Figure 2 is a section talten through the toot portion thereof and substantially upon the line Q-Q of Figsgure 1.

New havii'ip; particular reference to the drawii'ii/r, my novel stretcher consists ot a plate 5 oit metal or other suitable material ot' tint-l' tornnition, and ot a shape in silhouette subi-itantially the shape oit a human legi', the lower end thereof being termed to provide the rear halt of a 'foot (i, the end of wh ich formed at its opposite edges with inwardly extending turned over s1 ringl clips 7 7 each oil? which is lormed with a depressed lug: 8. For association with the toot section oit lthe stretcher is a plate 9 of a material similar to the material forming,- the main body oi the device and formed at its outer end so as to simulate the toe of a 'floot in silhouette..

The opposite longitudinal edges of this plate 9 are toi-med with spaced openings 10 adjacent each of which is an indicating character to designate the length ot the toot oi the stretcher when said plate 9 is in predetermined adjusted position. Obviously, the lugs 8 ot the springr clips 7 are :tor engagement within predetermined ones ot the holes l() at the longitudinal edges of the extensible plate 9 Yfor rigidly securing said plate to the foot of the stretcher so that when the stretcher is arranged within a stocking, the

serial No. 235,353.

toot size oi which is complen'lentary to the pi,'ea,.1'1':finged size of the stretcher toot there will be little or no liability ot the plate 9 moving' inwardly, which would otherwise permit the toot of the stocking to shrink.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a highly novel, simple, and etlicient stocking stretcher that is well adapted for all. the purposes heretofore designated, and even though I have herein shown and described the invention as consisting oi. certain detail structural elements, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without aifecting the spirit and scope of the appended claims. V

l-laviner thus described the invention, what l claim is:-

l. ln a stocking stretcher ot the character described, a flat plate of leg' shape in outline and formed at one end with an extension in simulation ot' a rear portion oi. a toot and an adjustable toe plate associated with said foot portion in a manner and for the purpose described, said toe plate being toi-med at its longitudinal edges with spaced openings, inturned spring clips at the end ot the toot portion and at the upper and lower edges thereoit 'for engagement over the edges olf said toe plate and pressed lugs lfornieiil in said clips for selective engagement within prede termined openings in the edges of' said toe plates.

2. In a stocking stretcher and in combination, a :toot portion, and a toe plate arranged along side of and extending beyond said foot portion, and retained on and adjustable lengthwise relative to the same; one ot said elements having' seats at intervals ot its length and the other elementl having a projection springr pressed transversely ot the foot portion and adapted 'tor removable disposition in said seats.

3. In a stocking stretcher and in combination, a toot portion, and a toe plate arranged along side oi and extending beyond said foot portion; one ot said elements having seats at intervals ot its length and the other spring clips straddling the seat element, with a projection on one of said clips for renlovable disposition in said seats.

In, testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

ELLA W. RICHARDS. 

